St. James scored 11
second quarter points on only two scrimmage plays, but three
interceptions and a huge dose of Alabama Christian running could not be
overcome as the visiting Eagles left Collier Field with a 21-18
victory.
After a three and
out led to a Trojan punt, the Eagles drove 57 yards in 9 plays for a
touchdown on their opening drive. David Blevins caught a 25 yard
pass from Chris Dodd to move the ball to the Trojan 25. After a
penalty, Buddy Pugh ran for 23 yards, and two plays later Dodd called
his own number from the 5 for the first score of the game. Kevin
Cash's kick gave ACA an early 7-0 lead.
The Trojans would
respond with their own long drive, eating up the remainder of the first
quarter. After crossing midfield, a clipping penalty pushed St.
James back into their own territory. A 15 yard pass from Wade
Hartley to Jeff George erased the penalty yardage, and on fourth down
and 7, the Trojans executed a fake punt perfectly with upback Clifford
Long carrying for 17 yards. A late hit penalty added 12 yards,
and the Trojans had first down on the Eagle 12. Three plays only
netted four yards, and P.J. Robertson was called on to kick a 25 yard
field goal, which he did, on the first play of the second period,
cutting the ACA lead to 4.
The Eagles then
embarked on a drive almost as long timewise as the first two
combined. Nearly the entire second quarter was eaten up on a 19
play drive with only two plays going over 9 yards, a Dodd run of 15 and
a 15 yard late hit personal foul penalty added to a 5 yard Pugh
run. Pugh carried in for the touchdown at the end of the amazing
10½ minute drive, and Cash's kick gave ACA a seemingly sizable
11 point lead heading into halftime.
Not quite.
Jeff George took the ensuing kickoff as his own 11 and darted up the
near sidelines, breaking two tackles at the 30 and leaving other Eagles
behind as he raced for the endzone and a Trojan touchdown just 12
seconds later, which at the time was the longest kickoff return
touchdown in St. James history. He managed to have enough oxygen
left to catch a two point conversion pass from Hartley and reach the
endzone, albeit barely, and suddenly the Trojans were within a field
goal at 14-11.
Amazingly, St.
James actually had another chance to score. The Eagles fumbled on
the Trojan 33 with 36 seconds remaining. On only the second snap
for St. James of the second quarter (the first being the early field
goal), a Hartley pass for the endzone was intercepted by Blevins.
He zigzagged across the field several times, and almost broke loose for
what would have been a touchdown called back by penalties, but ran out
the second quarter clock in the process.
The Trojans carried
momentum into the third quarter despite the interception, and forced
the Eagles into a three and out to start the quarter. George
returned the punt into Eagle territory at the 44. He ran for 14
yards two plays later just prior to a Hartley screen pass to Long which
moved the ball down to the 7 yard line. Three plays later, George
scored his second touchdown of the game, this one on a three yard
run. Robertson's extra point was true, and the Trojans had
overcome an 11 point deficit to take a 4 point lead at 18-14.
ACA converted one
first down on their next drive, but could only advance as far as the
Trojan 45. However, Dodd, who doubled as punter, made a terrific
kick which was downed inside the Trojan 1 yard line. St. James
managed to give their punter room by picking up 8 yards, but the Eagles
still had great field position at the Trojan 37. Halfback
Torrando Station was given the ball on the second play of the drive,
only his second carry of the game, and he burst through the line for 33
yards and a touchdown. Cash's kick gave ACA back a 3 point lead
with a majority of the final quarter remaining.
After George
returned the kickoff to the 34, the fresh legs of Jay Allen were called
upon, and he quickly responded with a 19 yard gain on first down.
Four plays later, George converted a huge fourth down with a 16 yard
run down to the Eagles 26. However, on the next play, David
Blevins intercepted a Hartley pass at the ACA 13.
The Eagles were
stopped three and out, and George fair caught a punt at the Eagles 47,
and St. James had just over 6 minutes remaining. They were slowed
as they reached the Eagle 20, and Robertson was called on to try a
tying 32 yard field goal, which came up just inches wide to the right
with 3:19 remaining. The Trojans actually got another chance as
Pugh fumbled while trying to run out the clock at the Trojan
45. With 1:25 remaining, an incomplete pass, a penalty, and
a sack led to St. James's second time out. On the next
play, a pass interference penalty was called on a screen attempt, a
dubious play at best, but the Trojans had first down again at their own
45 with 47 seconds remaining. A sack led to the Trojans' last
time out, and a desperation pass was tipped and intercepted, ending the
final Trojan scoring threat and ensuring victory for Alabama Christian.
SIDELINE STATISTICS - GAME FIVE
ST. JAMES RUSHING: 37 carries 124 yards 1 TD (3.35 yards per carry)
28
George 10 / 54 (1 TD)
11
Allen 11 /
38
34 Parker 6 / 27
33
Long
6 /
17
10 Hartley 4 / - 6
PASSING: 7 attempts 3 completions 3
INTs 49 yards 0 TDs (2 sacks of, 14 yards)
10 Hartley
3
- 7 - 3 49 yards
RECEIVING:
84
Nave
1 / 33 80
Byrd
1 / 24
TOTAL YARDS: 173
A C A
RUSHING 42 attempts 210 yards 3 TDs
(5.00 yards per carry)
PASSING 10
attempts 2 completions 0 INTs 31 yards 0
TDs (1 sack of, 4 yards)
TOTAL YARDS: 251